Dugdale commissions versatile new compounding line

Published on 16th December 2012

West Yorkshire-based PVC compounder Dugdale Ltd has just commissioned additional processing machinery, enabling it to extend its range of pelletised high-performance PVC compounds and respond more quickly to customers’ needs.

The company has invested in a latest-technology Buss Quantec 67EV compounding machine, capable of producing up to 1,000kg of PVC pellets an hour. This machine has been designed to process most of the specialist flexible and rigid PVC compounds and high-technology alloys in Dugdale’s range. Dugdale compounds are used in many everyday items such as footwear, cables, bottles and automotive components.

Managing Director Dave Outen says the latest acquisition brings Dugdale’s investment in new mixing and compounding machines and laboratory equipment over the past three years to more than £2 million. And he says more investment is planned in the next two to three years as the company strives further to increase efficiency in the interests of improved customer service.

“Our latest machine is extremely versatile and gives us significant new capacity,” says Dave Outen. “But our focus is on service, rather than volume. We recognise that the market needs a compounder able to develop and produce high quality products and provide excellent service. Evolution in the plastics industry means there is ongoing demand for new compounds alongside existing products and our new machine positions us well to address this demand.

“Dugdale’s new investment in recent years has consistently been directed towards developing quality products and maintaining high standards, irrespective of quantities ordered – and delivering to customers in the shortest possible time. This business philosophy has reinforced our position in the UK and Europe, giving us a great start for the rest of this decade.”

He says the next phase of investment at Dugdale’s Valley Mill, at Sowerby Bridge, will focus further still on achieving service excellence.